Cross River Launches Public-Private Model to Boost Oil Palm Development

News in Brief:

-Cross River State has launched a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to expand oil palm nurseries across all 18 LGAs, ensuring shared investment and sustainable management.

-The initiative, under the CRODI platform, aims to improve transparency, farmer training, and productivity while boosting livelihoods and economic growth in the state.

The Cross River State Government unveiled a new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) strategy to expand oil palm nurseries at the 5th Stakeholders’ Meeting of the Cross River Oil Palm Development Initiative (CRODI). It aims to strengthen the state’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading oil palm producers.

Key industry players in the oil palm value chain gathered to discuss progress, challenges, and next steps for the sector during the forum.

Stakeholders Endorse Collaborative Growth Model

Chaired by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, KSM, the meeting welcomed representatives from the Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN), National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), FAO FOLUR-IP Programme, and Solidaridad.

Participants agreed that a well-coordinated PPP approach will enable shared investment, improved accountability, and sustainable oil palm development across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Under the new model, both public and private sector partners will contribute resources to establish and manage nurseries together, sharing profits, ensuring transparency and long-term growth.

Resolutions and Next Steps

Key resolutions reached during the meeting include:

• Transparency in seed sourcing: CRODI will publicly disclose the status of sprouted oil palm nuts procured from the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and distributed to farmers.
• Enhanced training and supervision: The state will scale up extension services, farmer training, and routine field supervision to ensure adherence to best agronomic practices.
• Joint nursery management: OPGAN, NPPAN, and local extension officers will collaborate to oversee nursery operations, ensuring quality and sustainability.

Economic Prospects for Cross River

Stakeholders commended Governor Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu for his agricultural reforms and renewed focus on oil palm development. They emphasised that the initiative aligns with the governor’s vision of promoting economic diversification, job creation, and inclusive rural growth.

The PPP-driven oil palm expansion is projected to:

• Boost the state’s oil palm production and processing capacity.
• Enhance farmers’ livelihoods through better access to high-yield seedlings and technical support.
• Stimulate private sector investment in agro-industrial value chains.

“This initiative is a practical step toward making Cross River a model for sustainable oil palm development in Nigeria,” said one stakeholder at the meeting.